Five short pieces
Title: Shock and Awe
Characters: First Aid, Sideswipe
Rating: K
Series: Generation 1
Summary: Nobody remembered to warn the recently awakened Autobots about the Independence Day celebration.
Prompt # 1 Fireworks
The onset of twilight had become something some bots anticipate - and a daily event others detested. Outside on patrol, Sideswipe and First Aid got a first hand look at the night sky.
They met Cliffjumper at the Ark’s entrance, started to head in. Before the two Autobots could retreat inside, daily check done, something exploded.
“Deceptiocns!” Cliffjumper shouted, firing away at … nothing.
Optics dazzled by the light burst, Sidewipe had to disengage defensive protocols.
A second boom went off overhead, showering the clearing with a display of burning combustibles.
When the third rocket shot up for its brief flight, Sideswipe realized this display of firepower was simply a show.
“Cliffjumper.” The frontline warrior addressed the yellow minibot after he shut off his combative protocols for a fourth time. “Explosions are deliberate - being set off by the humans for entertainment.” Sideswipe couldn’t hide his shock at the destruction of materials for no real purpose.
“Ah.” First Aid sounded pleased by the observation.
A fifth overhead boom and Sideswipe had to sheath his swords. Again.
“So this is the Fireworks show Sparkplug Witwick was talking about.”
Weapons deactivated, Sideswipe stopped trying to find a seeker in the light-bombardment. “Fireworks?” He repeated, ignoring Cliffjumper’s rapid-fire at the empty centers.
“Yep. According to Steetwise, this is an annual tradition.” First Aide Seemed bemused by the display. “Would you help me escort Cliffjumper inside?” He seems to be under the impression this show is only a diversion for the real attack.”
Sideswipe shook his head. The red warrior clenched his fists tight to avoid drawing out his swords for a seventh time as the piercing shrike warned him another overhead burst of short-lived fire was imminent. “That sounds like something Red Alert would say.”
“I’m listening to Red complaining about the fireworks,” First Aid admitted, struggling to bring Cliffjumper inside.
Title: Give an inch,
Characters: Sentinel Prime, Soundwave, Megatron
Rating: K+
Series: Generation 1
Summary: Soundwave has his reasons for using a full-face visor and masking vocalizer - the only other mech who knows why is dead.
Prompt # 2 False Flag Operation
“Any news from the relief effort?” Sentinel Prime stepped beside the promising young communications mech monitoring the switchboard and news coming from the latest city destroyed by the rebels of Kaon.
Optics filled with repressed emotion the chalk-white mech shook his head. “Only that the survivors are confirming what fragmented imagery we did receive form the attack.” Shock, uncertainty and fear laced the mech’s voice. “All evidence points to current Autobot forces wiping out Vos.”
Sientinel Prime tried from showing how that news devastated him - but he couldn’t stop his shoulders from slumping or the way his frame collapsed inward, weighed down.
“Soundbyte.” The Prime paused, continued. “We need to know if rouge Autobot warriors directed the destruction, -“
“Or if Megatron ordered Vos’s death himself.” Soundbyte interrupted numbly. Blue otics did nothing to mask his horror.
“yes.” Sentinel Prime briefly laid a hand on the promising intelligence officer’s shoulder. “Implement contingency plan Omega.”
Soundbyte nodded, visage revealing his thoughts all too easily. He stood up. “With your permission.” Soundbyte bowed, then left, leaving Sentinel Prime alone.
Alone to consider the hellish future he just sent one of his best mechs into.
… LATER …
Megatron gazed downward at the intelligence officer. “This information - it is accurate?”
“Completely, my liege.” Soundwave’s monotone voice might have struck some mechs as suspicious, but not Megatron.
“Excellent. - Starscream! Prepare your troops. The Seekers will wreck vengeance against your people’s murderers.”
Soundwave settled into record everything that he saw, observed, and heard. Right now, he simply noted the date and planned time of the attack on Sentinel Prime and the Senate.
Title: Learning an ugly truth
Characters: Ratchet, Breakdown
Rating: K+
Series: Prime
Summary: Beneath its popular Crystal Gardens, Praxis City held deep secrets that led to its destruction.
Prompt # 3 “That’s what the world is after all; an endless battle of contrasting memories.
Jack Darby read over Raf’s shoulder. “War: military operations as a science.” He looked way up at Ratchet. “That definition sounds more like a terrorist attack than a divided world falling into civil war.”
The Autobot medic huffed. “The first strikes by the Decepticons were terroristic operations, attacking unarmed, unprotected neutrals.”
“Speak for yourself!” Ratchet’s latest argumentive patient snapped back angrily. “We were only eradicating a threat before it could destroy us.”
“Praxis City was neutral!” Ratchet picked up a wrench. “There was nothing capable of attacking others within its boarders.”
“Where do you think the Wrecker’s prototypes were designed and built? In Iacon?” Breakdown yelled. “Praxis was built around a weapon’s manufacturing facility!”
The volume increasingly by leaps and bounds, Jack bodily dragged his friends out of the room, yelling that the humans were leaving.
Neither Autobot nor Decepticon gave any indication they heard Jack - or Miko’s protest at being evacuated.
Title: Broken death
Characters: Sunstreaker, Megatron
Rating: Teens
Series: any (Prime)
Summary: Sunstreaker boldly met the executioners optics.
Prompt # 4 Conscripts
Kaon’s gladiator rings and the enslaved fighters were accustomed to spilt energon, the screams of dying mechs the sounds of battle. The please of survivors, noises of begging, cries for mercy were new.
Sideswipe and Sunstreaker stepped forward, encouraged by an energon prod.
“Ah, the twins.” Megatron ignored the broken graying frame of the overseer he crushed underfoot, rising to greet the binary-spark gladiators. “I have heard of you.”
“And we, of you.” Sunstreaker snarled. “Your choice of decoration is tacky and overdone.”
Megatron chucked, not at all put off by the brusque manner. “I thought about simply executing those who reject my offer - but this is much more appropriate.”
Sideswipe swallowed bile as he chanced looking at the walls and seats from which hundreds of thousands could watch their favorite gladiators fight to the death.
Every seat held an occupant - some dying, some dead, some still living, all tortured. The walls were permanently stained with spilt energon from freshly slaughtered mechs.
“Flayed alive,” Sideswipe realized.
“Join me and avoid this unpleasantness.” Megatron extended his hand, awaiting the twins decision.
Title: Airborne particles
Characters: Sunstreaker, Tracks
Rating: K
Series: Generation 1
Summary: Some forces of nature are unavoidable - but they can be survived if the right steps are taken before it engulfs everything in reach.
Prompt # 6 Dust Storm
“I’ve got dirt everywhere.” Tracks complained. “Even inside my joints!”
Sunstreaker snorted. “You’re not the only one suffering.” He pointed out a massive tan-colored cloud bearing down upon them. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but that looks like the leading edge of a sandstorm.”
Tracks groaned. “That will wreck my finish.”
“Forget the paint job - I’m more concerned about my amour.” Sunstreaker shook his head. “If that stuff gets underneath our plating, it will wreck havoc on our internals.”
“So … run?” Tracks transformed, shot head.
“Run.” Sunstreaker folded into his Lamborghini alt-mode, raced head of Tracks. “Can’t outrun it - but we might find shelter from its path!” The yellow front-liner led the way to dubious protecting from the scouring winds to an old dried out cave slightly off the beaten path.
Once inside, they waited for the screaming winds to diminish then vanish completely.
Characters: First Aid, Sideswipe
Rating: K
Series: Generation 1
Summary: Nobody remembered to warn the recently awakened Autobots about the Independence Day celebration.
Prompt # 1 Fireworks
The onset of twilight had become something some bots anticipate - and a daily event others detested. Outside on patrol, Sideswipe and First Aid got a first hand look at the night sky.
They met Cliffjumper at the Ark’s entrance, started to head in. Before the two Autobots could retreat inside, daily check done, something exploded.
“Deceptiocns!” Cliffjumper shouted, firing away at … nothing.
Optics dazzled by the light burst, Sidewipe had to disengage defensive protocols.
A second boom went off overhead, showering the clearing with a display of burning combustibles.
When the third rocket shot up for its brief flight, Sideswipe realized this display of firepower was simply a show.
“Cliffjumper.” The frontline warrior addressed the yellow minibot after he shut off his combative protocols for a fourth time. “Explosions are deliberate - being set off by the humans for entertainment.” Sideswipe couldn’t hide his shock at the destruction of materials for no real purpose.
“Ah.” First Aid sounded pleased by the observation.
A fifth overhead boom and Sideswipe had to sheath his swords. Again.
“So this is the Fireworks show Sparkplug Witwick was talking about.”
Weapons deactivated, Sideswipe stopped trying to find a seeker in the light-bombardment. “Fireworks?” He repeated, ignoring Cliffjumper’s rapid-fire at the empty centers.
“Yep. According to Steetwise, this is an annual tradition.” First Aide Seemed bemused by the display. “Would you help me escort Cliffjumper inside?” He seems to be under the impression this show is only a diversion for the real attack.”
Sideswipe shook his head. The red warrior clenched his fists tight to avoid drawing out his swords for a seventh time as the piercing shrike warned him another overhead burst of short-lived fire was imminent. “That sounds like something Red Alert would say.”
“I’m listening to Red complaining about the fireworks,” First Aid admitted, struggling to bring Cliffjumper inside.
Title: Give an inch,
Characters: Sentinel Prime, Soundwave, Megatron
Rating: K+
Series: Generation 1
Summary: Soundwave has his reasons for using a full-face visor and masking vocalizer - the only other mech who knows why is dead.
Prompt # 2 False Flag Operation
“Any news from the relief effort?” Sentinel Prime stepped beside the promising young communications mech monitoring the switchboard and news coming from the latest city destroyed by the rebels of Kaon.
Optics filled with repressed emotion the chalk-white mech shook his head. “Only that the survivors are confirming what fragmented imagery we did receive form the attack.” Shock, uncertainty and fear laced the mech’s voice. “All evidence points to current Autobot forces wiping out Vos.”
Sientinel Prime tried from showing how that news devastated him - but he couldn’t stop his shoulders from slumping or the way his frame collapsed inward, weighed down.
“Soundbyte.” The Prime paused, continued. “We need to know if rouge Autobot warriors directed the destruction, -“
“Or if Megatron ordered Vos’s death himself.” Soundbyte interrupted numbly. Blue otics did nothing to mask his horror.
“yes.” Sentinel Prime briefly laid a hand on the promising intelligence officer’s shoulder. “Implement contingency plan Omega.”
Soundbyte nodded, visage revealing his thoughts all too easily. He stood up. “With your permission.” Soundbyte bowed, then left, leaving Sentinel Prime alone.
Alone to consider the hellish future he just sent one of his best mechs into.
… LATER …
Megatron gazed downward at the intelligence officer. “This information - it is accurate?”
“Completely, my liege.” Soundwave’s monotone voice might have struck some mechs as suspicious, but not Megatron.
“Excellent. - Starscream! Prepare your troops. The Seekers will wreck vengeance against your people’s murderers.”
Soundwave settled into record everything that he saw, observed, and heard. Right now, he simply noted the date and planned time of the attack on Sentinel Prime and the Senate.
Title: Learning an ugly truth
Characters: Ratchet, Breakdown
Rating: K+
Series: Prime
Summary: Beneath its popular Crystal Gardens, Praxis City held deep secrets that led to its destruction.
Prompt # 3 “That’s what the world is after all; an endless battle of contrasting memories.
Jack Darby read over Raf’s shoulder. “War: military operations as a science.” He looked way up at Ratchet. “That definition sounds more like a terrorist attack than a divided world falling into civil war.”
The Autobot medic huffed. “The first strikes by the Decepticons were terroristic operations, attacking unarmed, unprotected neutrals.”
“Speak for yourself!” Ratchet’s latest argumentive patient snapped back angrily. “We were only eradicating a threat before it could destroy us.”
“Praxis City was neutral!” Ratchet picked up a wrench. “There was nothing capable of attacking others within its boarders.”
“Where do you think the Wrecker’s prototypes were designed and built? In Iacon?” Breakdown yelled. “Praxis was built around a weapon’s manufacturing facility!”
The volume increasingly by leaps and bounds, Jack bodily dragged his friends out of the room, yelling that the humans were leaving.
Neither Autobot nor Decepticon gave any indication they heard Jack - or Miko’s protest at being evacuated.
Title: Broken death
Characters: Sunstreaker, Megatron
Rating: Teens
Series: any (Prime)
Summary: Sunstreaker boldly met the executioners optics.
Prompt # 4 Conscripts
Kaon’s gladiator rings and the enslaved fighters were accustomed to spilt energon, the screams of dying mechs the sounds of battle. The please of survivors, noises of begging, cries for mercy were new.
Sideswipe and Sunstreaker stepped forward, encouraged by an energon prod.
“Ah, the twins.” Megatron ignored the broken graying frame of the overseer he crushed underfoot, rising to greet the binary-spark gladiators. “I have heard of you.”
“And we, of you.” Sunstreaker snarled. “Your choice of decoration is tacky and overdone.”
Megatron chucked, not at all put off by the brusque manner. “I thought about simply executing those who reject my offer - but this is much more appropriate.”
Sideswipe swallowed bile as he chanced looking at the walls and seats from which hundreds of thousands could watch their favorite gladiators fight to the death.
Every seat held an occupant - some dying, some dead, some still living, all tortured. The walls were permanently stained with spilt energon from freshly slaughtered mechs.
“Flayed alive,” Sideswipe realized.
“Join me and avoid this unpleasantness.” Megatron extended his hand, awaiting the twins decision.
Title: Airborne particles
Characters: Sunstreaker, Tracks
Rating: K
Series: Generation 1
Summary: Some forces of nature are unavoidable - but they can be survived if the right steps are taken before it engulfs everything in reach.
Prompt # 6 Dust Storm
“I’ve got dirt everywhere.” Tracks complained. “Even inside my joints!”
Sunstreaker snorted. “You’re not the only one suffering.” He pointed out a massive tan-colored cloud bearing down upon them. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but that looks like the leading edge of a sandstorm.”
Tracks groaned. “That will wreck my finish.”
“Forget the paint job - I’m more concerned about my amour.” Sunstreaker shook his head. “If that stuff gets underneath our plating, it will wreck havoc on our internals.”
“So … run?” Tracks transformed, shot head.
“Run.” Sunstreaker folded into his Lamborghini alt-mode, raced head of Tracks. “Can’t outrun it - but we might find shelter from its path!” The yellow front-liner led the way to dubious protecting from the scouring winds to an old dried out cave slightly off the beaten path.
Once inside, they waited for the screaming winds to diminish then vanish completely.